According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers injury situation improved as offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, tight end Robert Tonyan, and wide receiver Christian Watson have been activated from the physically unable to perform list.
The news means that the players will have a shot to play opening day when the Packers take on the Vikings in Minnesota. This is a much better scenario that the trio starting the season on the PUP, meaning they would have missed at least the first month of the season. Jenkins and Tonyan are recovering from torn ACLs, while Watson had his right knee scoped just prior to training camp.
With Jenkins out, the Packers have been rotating players along the right side of the offensive line. Jenkins, who was a Pro Bowler at left guard in 2020, practiced right tackle technique and LaFleur is pleased with Jenkins’ work ethic during the rehab process, recovering quickly from the injury that occurred November 21 last year.
Tonyan’s injury occurred three weeks prior to Jenkins, leaving the Packers without a threat at tight end the rest of the season. As for Watson, the Packers’ second-round pick this season is expected to be a piece of the puzzle to replace Davante Adams, along with fellow rookie Romeo Doubs and Allen Lazard. Watson is working hard with Aaron Rodgers, going through the learning process of what it takes to be a contributing receiver in the NFL.
The Packers still have three players on PUP: Kicker Mason Crosby, running back Kylin Hill, and offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. Safety Dallin Leavitt went down with a shoulder injury in the preseason opener against the 49ers and Gabe Brkic went down with a hamstring injury.
Also on the injury report is wide receiver Juwann Winfree, who suffered a groin injury during the preseason opener and didn’t practice on Sunday, and linebacker LaDarius Hamilton, who didn’t play against the 49ers–also due to a groin injury. Linebacker Tipa Galeai was listed as questionable on Monday, while the team released linebacker Randy Ramsey, who has battled injuries since being drafted in 2019 and didn’t play in the preseason opener.